Bhai tika celebrated

Kathmandu, 19 Oct: Bhai tika was celebrated on fifth and the last day of tihar Monday for the prosperity and long life of brothers and sisters.
Auspicious time for tika was at 11.56 in the morning.
Brothers and sisters exchange tika on bhai puja.
Brothers without sisters visited a temple at Ranipokhari opened once a year and put on tika.
The Newar community celebrated Nepal Sambad 1130 with a motorcycle in the Valley.
The extended festive dasain and tihar festive season ended with bhai tika.
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Chairman Prachanda returns from China amid political uncertainty

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 19 Oct: Chairman Prachanda returned home Monday after a week-long visit of China where he held discussions with Chinese President Hu Jintao.
The Maoist chief returned home as the UCPN (Maoist) threatened to launch a popular movement without an agreement in sight between three major political parties to end a four-month political stalemate.
Maoists have stalled parliamentary proceedings obstructing the passage of the annual budget 2009/10.
To avert a political and financial crisis, there’s one suggestion to promulgate the budget through ordinance if Maoist obstruction continues.
Only a vote of accounts has been passed that allows the government to run administrative.
Maoists are holding a tea reception Tuesday to mark the festive season; the reception will be a forum for leaders to find last-minute end to a stalemate which is unlikely to be broken.
Ruling parties and Maoists have stuck to their demands with Maoists demanding a debate on a censure motion against President Dr Ram Baran Yadav for what they call an unconstitutional act of the head of state to retain sacked Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal on recommendation of 18 parties of the ruling alliance.
Katawal was sacked by the Maoist-led government of Prachanda who was forced out of office earlier this year by a parliamentary majority vote.
Maoists, who won the April 2008 constituent assembly, charge the government for creating a parallel powerful center with foreign prodding; they say the government should be the center of power instead.
CPN-UML and Nepali Congress oppose Maoist demands for discussion of the president’s action in parliament arguing the head of state shouldn’t be dragged into controversy.
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